A comparison of the composition of milks from Meishan and crossbred pigs

Because of low energy reserves at birth, piglets are dependent on the sow's milk for survival. Breed differences can influence milk composition. The objective of this study was to examine litter characteristics, milk composition including calcium and the water holding capacity of casein, solvation, between the highly prolific Meishan breed and lean crossbred pigs. Samples were collected by hand-milking at early (days 3-5) and late (days 20-21) lactation. Milk fat percentage for Meishans was higher than for the crossbred, especially during early lactation (10.72±0.5 >8.91±0.4 (crossbred); P < 0.0005). During late lactation, Meishans had 8.60±0.49 > 6.49±0.39 (crossbred); P > 0.05. No differences were observed between breeds for lactose or protein at either sampling time. Calcium concentration (mg/dl) was higher in Meishan milk than in crossbred milk at early lactation (0.204±0.01 > 0.178±0.01; P < 0.05). There were no differences at late lactation. Crossbred solvation values (g water/g protein) were the same (2.18±0.12) as Meishan (2.36±0.16). Those values were also similar at late lactation. The mean litter size for the Meishans was higher than that of the crossbred (13.8±0.1 > 11.1±0.7; P < 0.05). Mean birth weights (kg) were less for Meishans (0.91±0.09< 1.4±0.07; P < 0.05) and similarly, weaning weights (4.78±0.41 < 5.94±0.31; P < 0.05). Milk from Meishans might provide an early advantage to improve survivability of piglets by supplying more fat and higher calcium for bone development than traditional breeds. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.